Beverage Can Shield Assembly

ABSTRACT

A beverage can shield assembly for protecting a consumer from potential contaminants on a beverage can includes a beverage can that has a drinking flap and a tab that is movably integrated into the beverage can for opening the drinking flap. A shield is bonded to the beverage can and the shield surrounds the drinking flap to facilitate a beverage to be consumed. The shield is comprised of a sterilized material to inhibit contact transmission of bacteria or viruses between a consumer and the beverage can when the consumer drinks from the beverage can. A protective sheet is removably bonded to the shield for preserving sterility of the shield. The protective sheet is peelable from the shield to facilitate the consumer to drink the beverage in the beverage can.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to beverage can devices and more particularly pertains to a new beverage can device for inhibiting contact transmission of bacteria or viruses between a consumer and a beverage can. The device includes a shield that is bonded to a beverage can and which surrounds a drinking flap in the beverage can. The device includes a protective sheet that covers the shield for preserving sterility of the shield. The protective sheet can be peeled away from the shield to facilitate a consumer to drink from the beverage can.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to beverage can devices including a beverage can cover that is rotatably coupled to a beverage can for covering an opening in the beverage can. The prior art discloses a variety of beverage can closures for resealing a beverage can when the beverage can is opened. The prior art discloses a beverage can closure that is slidably integrated into a rim of a beverage can. In no instance does the prior art disclose a shield that is bonded to a beverage can and a protective sheet that is removable from the shield to preserve sterility of the shield.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a beverage can that has a drinking flap and a tab that is movably integrated into the beverage can for opening the drinking flap. A shield is bonded to the beverage can and the shield surrounds the drinking flap to facilitate a beverage to be consumed. The shield is comprised of a sterilized material to inhibit contact transmission of bacteria or viruses between a consumer and the beverage can when the consumer drinks from the beverage can. A protective sheet is removably bonded to the shield for preserving sterility of the shield. The protective sheet is peelable from the shield to facilitate the consumer to drink the beverage in the beverage can.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a beverage can shield assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a protective sheet covering a shield.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a protective sheet being pulled away from a shield.

FIG. 6 is a top in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a protective sheet covering a shield.

FIG. 7 is a top in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a protective sheet being pulled away from a shield.

FIG. 8 is a perspective in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 8 thereof, a new beverage can device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8, the beverage can shield assembly 10 generally comprises a beverage can 12 that has a drinking flap 14 and a tab 16 that is movably integrated into the beverage can 12 for opening the drinking flap 14. The beverage can 12 has a top wall 18 and an outer wall 20, and the drinking flap 14 extends through the top wall 18 at a point that is located adjacent to the outer wall 20. Moreover, the tab 16 is positioned on the top wall 18 at a point that is located between the drinking flap 14 and a center point of the top wall 18. The beverage can 12 may comprise an aluminum beverage can 12 that is commonly associated with carbonated beverages, such as soda pop and beer. The tab 16 urges the drinking flap 14 downwardly through the top wall 18 to define a drinking opening 22 through which the beverage can 12 pass.

A shield 24 is bonded to the beverage can 12 and the shield 24 surrounds the drinking flap 14 to pass a beverage in the beverage can 12 through the shield 24. In this way the beverage may be consumed by a consumer 26. The shield 24 is comprised of a sterilized material to inhibit contact transmission of bacteria or viruses between the consumer 26 and the beverage can 12 when the consumer 26 drinks from the beverage can 12.

The shield 24 has a first surface 28 and a second surface 30, and the shield 24 has an aperture 32 extending through the first surface 28 and the second surface 30. The first surface 28 is bonded to the top wall 18 of the beverage can 12 having the aperture 32 surrounding the drinking flap 14 and the tab 16. In this way the shield 24 inhibits a consumer's top lip 34 from contacting the top wall 18 of the beverage can 12 when the consumer 26 drinks from the beverage can 12. Additionally, the shield 24 extends downwardly along the outer wall 20 of the beverage can 12 having the first surface 28 being bonded to the outer wall 20. In this way the shield 24 inhibits the consumer's bottom lip 36 from contacting the outer wall 20 of the beverage can 12 when the consumer 26 drinks from the beverage can 12.

A protective sheet 38 is provided and the protective sheet 38 is removably bonded to the shield 24 for preserving sterility of the shield 24. The protective sheet 38 covers the drinking flap 14 when the protective sheet 38 is covering the shield 24. Additionally, the protective sheet 38 is peelable from the shield 24 to expose the drinking flap 14 thereby facilitating the consumer 26 to drink the beverage in the beverage can 12. The protective sheet 38 has a primary surface 40, a secondary surface 42 and a perimeter edge 44 extending between the primary surface 40 and the secondary surface 42, and the perimeter edge 44 has a front side 46 and a back side 48. The back side 48 is coupled to the second surface 30 of the shield 24 at location that is aligned with a rear edge 49 of the shield 24.

The protective sheet 38 has a cut 50 extending through the primary surface 40 and the secondary surface 42. The cut 50 is elongated to extend substantially between the front side 46 and the back side 48 of the perimeter edge 44, and the cut 50 is centrally positioned on the shield 24. The primary surface 40 of the protective sheet 38 releasably adheres to the second surface 30 of the shield 24. The cut 50 is closed around the tab 16 when the protective sheet 38 is releasably adhered to the shield 24. Moreover, the cut 50 is spread around the tab 16 when the protective sheet 38 is peeled from the shield 24 thereby facilitating the protective sheet 38 to be peeled over the tab 16. In this way the tab 16 can be manipulated to open the drinking flap 14 in the beverage can 12. The front side 46 of the perimeter edge 44 has a lobe 52 extending away therefrom such that the lobe 52 extends beyond a front edge 54 of the shield 24. In this way the lobe 52 can be gripped for peeling the protective sheet 38 from the shield 24.

In use, the shield 24 and the protective sheet 38 are integrated into the beverage can 12 at the point of manufacturing. The consumer 26 grips the lobe 52 on the protective sheet 38 to peel the protective sheet 38 away from the shield 24. The lobe 52 is drawn upwardly along the outer wall 20 of the beverage can 12 and rearwardly along the top wall 18 of the beverage can 12. The cut 50 spreads open around the tab 16 to expose the drinking flap 14 and to facilitate the tab 16 to be manipulated to open the drinking flap 14. The shield 24 remains in place on the beverage can 12 to inhibit the consumer's top lip 34 and bottom lip 36 from contacting the beverage can 12. In this way the consumer 26 is protected from contacting bacteria or viruses that may have collected on the beverage can 12.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

1. A beverage can shield assembly having a sterilized drinking flap to enhance cleanliness and safety for a consumer, said assembly comprising: a beverage can having the drinking flap and a tab being movably integrated into said beverage can for opening said drinking flap; a shield being bonded to said beverage can, said shield surrounding said drinking flap wherein said shield is configured to pass a beverage in said beverage can through said shield to facilitate the beverage to be consumed, said shield being comprised of a sterilized material wherein said shield is configured to inhibit contact transmission of bacteria or viruses between a consumer and said beverage can when the consumer drinks from said beverage can; and a protective sheet being removably bonded to said shield for preserving sterility of said shield, said protective sheet covering said drinking flap when said protective sheet is covering said shield, said protective sheet being peelable from said shield to expose said drinking flap wherein said protective sheet is configured to facilitate the consumer to drink the beverage in said beverage can; wherein said beverage can has a top wall and an outer wall, said drinking flap extending through said top wall at a point being located adjacent to said outer wall, said tab being positioned on said top wall at a point being located between said drinking flap and a center point of said top wall; wherein said shield has a first surface and a second surface, said shield having an aperture extending through said first surface and said second surface, said first surface being bonded to said top wall of said beverage can having said aperture surrounding said drinking flap and said tab wherein said shield is configured to inhibit a consumer's top lip from contacting said top wall of said beverage can when the consumer drinks from said beverage can; wherein said protective sheet has a primary surface, a secondary surface and a perimeter edge extending between said primary surface and said secondary surface, said perimeter edge having a front side and a back side, said back side being coupled to said second surface of said shield at location being aligned with a rear edge of said shield; and wherein said protective sheet has a cut extending through said primary surface and said secondary surface, said cut being elongated to extend substantially between said front side and said back side of said perimeter edge, said cut being centrally positioned on said shield.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said shield extends downwardly along said outer wall of said beverage can having said first surface being bonded to said outer wall wherein said shield is configured to inhibit the consumer's bottom lip from contacting said outer wall of said beverage can when the consumer drinks from said beverage can.
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled)
 6. The assembly according to claim 1L wherein said primary surface of said protective sheet releasably adheres to said second surface of said shield, said cut being closed around said tab when said protective sheet is releasably adhered to said shield, said cut being spread around said tab when said protective sheet is peeled from said shield.
 7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein said front side of said perimeter edge has a lobe extending away therefrom such that said lobe extends beyond a front edge of said shield wherein said lobe is configured to be gripped for peeling said protective sheet from said shield.
 8. A beverage can shield assembly having a sterilized drinking flap to enhance cleanliness and safety for a consumer, said assembly comprising: a beverage can having a drinking flap and a tab being movably integrated into said beverage can for opening said drinking flap, said beverage can having a top wall and an outer wall, said drinking flap extending through said top wall at a point being located adjacent to said outer wall, said tab being positioned on said top wall at a point being located between said drinking flap and a center point of said top wall; a shield being bonded to said beverage can, said shield surrounding said drinking flap wherein said shield is configured to pass a beverage in said beverage can through said shield to facilitate the beverage to be consumed, said shield being comprised of a sterilized material wherein said shield is configured to inhibit contact transmission of bacteria or viruses between a consumer and said beverage can when the consumer drinks from said beverage can, said shield having a first surface and a second surface, said shield having an aperture extending through said first surface and said second surface, said first surface being bonded to said top wall of said beverage can having said aperture surrounding said drinking flap and said tab wherein said shield is configured to inhibit a consumer's top lip from contacting said top wall of said beverage can when the consumer drinks from said beverage can, said shield extending downwardly along said outer wall of said beverage can having said first surface being bonded to said outer wall wherein said shield is configured to inhibit the consumer's bottom lip from contacting said outer wall of said beverage can when the consumer drinks from said beverage can; and a protective sheet being removably bonded to said shield for preserving sterility of said shield, said protective sheet covering said drinking flap when said protective sheet is covering said shield, said protective sheet being peelable from said shield to expose said drinking flap wherein said protective sheet is configured to facilitate the consumer to drink the beverage in said beverage can, said protective sheet having a primary surface, a secondary surface and a perimeter edge extending between said primary surface and said secondary surface, said perimeter edge having a front side and a back side, said back side being coupled to said second surface of said shield at location being aligned with a rear edge of said shield, said protective sheet having a cut extending through said primary surface and said secondary surface, said cut being elongated to extend substantially between said front side and said back side of said perimeter edge, said cut being centrally positioned on said shield, said primary surface of said protective sheet releasably adhering to said second surface of said shield, said cut being closed around said tab when said protective sheet is releasably adhered to said shield, said cut being spread around said tab when said protective sheet is peeled from said shield, said front side of said perimeter edge having a lobe extending away therefrom such that said lobe extends beyond a front edge of said shield wherein said lobe is configured to be gripped for peeling said protective sheet from said shield. 